Pulmonia, Mazatlán

Pulmonias are the "wild ride in the wind" taxis of Mazatlan. You can find one on any corner, sidewalk, or street while in the Zona Dorado (Golden Zone). They can sit three in the back (squeeze) and one up front with the driver. Open air, golf cart style vehicle that gives you a thrill a minute if the traffic is heavy. You can hail one down and barter the price down after the driver gives you a quote before getting in, if you feel it is too high. But remember that this is an experience , so treat the driver right. If the price is too low he may not go. Tip big, if a great ride and feel good knowing you helped out the economy in Mexico. Make sure you ask if the price is in pesos or dollars. Big difference. I find them to be cheaper than car taxis and a lot more fun. If you are arriving at the airport, they no longer can pick up inside the grounds.

I would say closer to $15 to include tip. Zona Dorada, depending on where exactly you are staying, is a good maybe 25 minutes. Once you are there you can walk as much as you can or higher the golf cart taxis to run you to the different parts of the city for about $5 each way.

The most common and traditional public transport in Mazatlán is the pulmonia (they are so popular that you will even find a monument for them in the levee), this taxis seems like golf cars, but they have a motor. As popular as they are you will only find them in this city, some years ago they tried to introduce them in other places in the Sinaloa state, but they weren`t successfull.
The name was given by the drivers of the regular taxis, as the new transportation was leaving them without customers they tried to convince people that, as the pulmonias are air-opened, if you travel in them you would get a pneumonia (pulmonia in spanish) and very soon the name of the disease was used everywhere to name this transport. I really enjoyed traveling on them.
Collective's are meant for large groups of people, they may carry up to eight people, or nine if the driver allows someone to sit in the front with him. They are not very comfortable but they will come in handy if you are traveling with friends or family.
Despite the pulmonia's success you will find some regular taxis, i never used one so i can't really tell you anything about them, I heard they where cheaper but the only time i tried to board one it would charge me the same as the pulmonia. The price depends on the driver so iIsuppose you may find some of them which is actually cheaper.
None of the three transportations has a taximeter, so you will have to agree on the price with the driver before boarding. A trip between my hotel and the golden zone was usually around fifty pesos. As we divided the cost between all the persons traveling on a vehicle we found the collective's to be cheaper.

This is a do-it your-own-way to discover Mazatlan. There isnt a fixed itinerary, it is not a tour. A pulmonia is a taxi that looks like a souped-up golf cart. Hundreds of these roam the streets. They are very popular among locals. They will pick you up at your hotel at your convenience. Tell the driver what are you interested in seeing or simple tell him to drive you around and get familiar with Mazatlan. You can have a Pacifico or Corona beer if you want. Enjoy the sea breeze and be careful with your hats, they can blow away ! You are going to be dropped off at your hotel or at the place of your convenience. Relax, there are no schedules here ! Do you feel like having a snack or seafood? Want to know where the locals go to eat? Ask the driver, he´ll take you to the non touristy spots.

By the way, the name Pulmonía (pneumonia) comes from the idea of old residents that riding an open air car can give you a cold !!

Taxis run along the streets of Mazatlan constantly, so if you don't think your getting a fair price haggle with them, if they still won't give you a fair price tell them to be on their way and stop another one. You shouldn't have to pay more than $3 to go anywhere in the hotel zone. They also tend to give you a better rate if you speak Spanish. So, if nothing els learn how to say "How much to.... " in Spanish.

Pulmonias were the most convienient way to get around and were pretty cheap... We would negotiate the price before getting in...It was fun to feel the warm air on your face... It may prove more diffficult with large groups.. But it is great otherwise..

Mazatlan’s tourist zone is quite spread out, so it is likely that you will need some form of transportation. Taxis are plentiful, although I have been told that they are somewhat more expensive in Mazatlan than in some of the other major resort areas. When we were in Mazatlan the Taxis were not metered. This is probably still true, so be sure to agree on a price before entering the car. Most hotels in the area posted the average rate for a taxi so that you knew what you could expect to pay. Or you can hop aboard a “pulmonia”, which is a funny little open-air vehicle with a fringe on top. Pulmonia are a trademark of Mazatlan, and although in an accident you would be at the loosing end of the crash, they are heavily used. Pulmonias are generally 1/2 - 1/3 less expensive than the taxies. Like the taxis be sure to settle on your price before entering the Pulmonia. There is also a public bus service, or you can rent cars, mopeds, and bicycles. And of course, there is always the opportunity to arrange a boat trip to get out on the Ocean.

We used pulmonias almost exclusively when we were in Mazatlan... It was cheap and fun.. Nothing like the cool air on your face... We had on trip to the lighthouse and and back.. our driver took us up icebox hill..WOW!!!!! the view was spectacular!!! we took lots of pix and had lots of fun.. we tipped him generously and made a day of it!!!! Fantastic!!!!